Di Zhang

Music is the language of the soul. Dr. Zhang is especially interested in the field of ethnomusicology and improvisation. Her improvisation is featured on the CD, The Path to Contemporary. It has been heard in concert performances and is available on several videos that presented Live Transcontinental Improvisation in performance. He research thus far has revolved around the cultural study of the yangqin, Chinese notation systems, pedagogical approaches to improvisation, improvisation in ancient and contemporary regional Chinese music and Western music, etc. The dissertation title for her PhD is Creativity, Improvisation, and Pedagogy for the Chinese Yangqin, the link to it: http://hdl.handle.net/10315/38678.

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In addition to her research, she is also a yangqin virtuoso active in Toronto’s music scene. She has performed in Canada, Europe, China, and Macau. In the future, she is aiming to create new music, perform, and share her experience in music creation and performance. Moreover, she is willing to develop innovative teaching strategies to help students to develop their inborn innovative and creative gifts and to foster innovative approaches to experimental and improvised music. Dr. Di Zhang's pedagogical approach is closely linked to practice and focused on creativity through deep listening.  It is founded on deeply listening to music and learning to act freely by inviting music expression from the heart.